In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice―with a hint of mystery!

Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is, in fact, the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard―and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot.

As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?

MY REVIEW:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

A Ring of Truth is the second book in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series. The book description says this is a delightful rewrite of Pride and Prejudice but to me, it felt more like an episode from Downton Abbey or even Cinderella. And I'm saying this in a positive way.

Henrietta and Clive are now engaged to be married. Henrietta is introduced to Clive's wealthy family and discovers that her brooding Inspector is none other than the heir to a vast fortune and estate. If she is to be mistress of the Howard estate, Henrietta must be taught the ways of being part of high society. This proves to be harder than Henrietta expected, and she strays downstairs and befriends the servants which leads her to become entangled in a sinister plot.

Once again, I enjoyed the 1930s setting mixed with romance and mystery. Henrietta is her usual feisty and alluring self, but she is too trusting for her own good which gets her into trouble once again. That's what makes her such a fun character. She is not afraid of hard work and she likes to help people in need. Clive is not as present at the beginning of the story, and I did wonder if their relationship would survive their class differences. Henrietta's journey from rags to riches is filled with new lessons that she must learn if she is to be Clive's wife.

There were some twists and turns as the mystery unraveled and came to a satisfying end. But there were plot threads that were left unresolved and made me eager to start reading the third book in the series A Promise Given.

Throughout the story, the author makes references to events from the first book. I liked this as it made them fresh in my mind once again and added to my enjoyment of the series. I'm now invested in these characters and want to read all five books!

Disclosure: I bought a Kindle copy. I was not told how to rate or review this book.

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as "Novel Notes of Local Lore," a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn't have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.